Watertight plug for tubular pile wells

ABSTRACT

The invention comprises, in combination with a platform for supporting an oil-drilling rig in offshore-drilling operations, a plurality of tubular pile wells anchored in underwater ground and supporting said platform; each of said wells having a lower set of diametrically opposite aligned sockets therein as well as an upper set of diametrically opposite aligned sockets therein, a watertight plug assembly removably mounted in each of said tubular wells, said assembly consisting of a central axially disposed rod, a lower disc mounted on said rod, an upper disc mounted on said rod in spaced relationship to said lower disc, a compressible rubber member confined between said lower and upper discs and engaging the inner surface of each of said tubular wells to prevent passage of water thereby, a first set of pins movably mounted in said upper disc of said assembly; sad pins being adapted to be moved into the lower set sockets of said pile wells, a setting block fixedly mounted on said rod and a second set of pins movably mounted in said block; said second set of pins being adapted to be moved into said upper set of aligned sockets of each of said pile wells to lock said lower disc against displacement.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Hulbert M. Burleson P.O. Box 301, Russellville, Ala. 35653 [21] Appl. No. 815,829 [22] Filed Apr. 14, 1969 [45] Patented May 4, 1971 [54] WATER-TIGHT PLUG FOR TUBULAR PILE WELLS 5 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl. 6l/46.5, 61/63,138/89,166/135 [51] Int. Cl E02b 17/04, F161 55/00, E21b 23/06 [50] Field of Search 61/465, 36, 63; 138/89; 166/135, 1 l5; 294/(Inquired) [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 737,667 9/1903 Schunk 138/89 2,256,775 9/1941 l-lubbell .t 138/89 2,775,869 1/1957 Pointer 61/465 3,291,218 12/1966 Lebourg 166/135 Primary Examiner-Jacob Shapiro Att0rneyArlington C. White ABSTRACT: The invention comprises, in combination with a platform for supporting an oil-drilling rig in offshore-drilling operations, a plurality of tubular pile wells anchored in underwater ground and supporting said platform; each of said wells having a lower set of diametrically opposite aligned sockets therein as well as an upper set of diametrically opposite aligned sockets therein, a watertight plug assembly removably mounted in each of said tubular wells, said assembly consisting of a central axially disposed rod, a lower disc mounted on said rod, an upper disc mounted on said rod in spaced relationship to said lower disc, a compressible rubber member confined between said lower and upper discs and engaging the inner surface of each of said tubular wells to prevent passage of water thereby, a first set of pins movably mounted in said upper disc of said assembly; sad pins being adapted to be moved into the lower set sockets of said pile we lls, a setting block fixedly mounted on said rod and a second set of pins movably mounted in said block; said second set of pins being adapted to be moved into said upper set of aligned sockets of each of said pile wells to lock said lower disc against displacement;

PATENTED MAY 4|97| SHEET 1 OF 2 INVENTOR w; m;- M. iUiAiid/V ATTORNEY PATENTED HAY SHEET 2 OF 2 INVENTOR #0845597 4%51/34 550M ATTO NEY WATER-TIGHT PLUG FOR TUBULAR PILE WELLS The invention, in general, relates to offshore oil-drilling operations and more particularly relates to watertight plugs removably mounted in the tubular wells of a pile structure for preventing sinking of the structure while being conveyed on the water to a water location for setting up the pile structure for mounting an oil-drilling rig thereon.

As is perhaps well known, it has been the practice to weld metal plates to the ends of tubular piles to prevent ingress of water thereinto and sinking of a pile well structure during transportation over the water; such structure usually being moved with the piles lying substantially horizontally. At the site of oil-drilling operations, it has been necessary to remove these plates when the structure is set up with the tubular piles vertically disposed to permit driving of the piles into the underwater ground or rock formations; such plate removal requiring divers with air-arc torches to burn off the metal, all of which is appreciably costly and time consuming. The present invention is directed to the provision of a relatively inexpensive device for sealing off the piles, and which can be readily and inexpensively removed from above the water thus obviating all of the disadvantages of prior devices and practices.

A primary object of my invention is to provide a watertight plug for tubular pile wells which effectively prevents ingress of water into the piles and prevents sinking of the pile well structure while being transported over water.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a watertight plug of the indicated nature whichis additionally characterized by its ease of installation as well as ease of removal.

A still further object of my present invention is to provide a watertight plug of the aforementioned character which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and to install in operative position, and which can be used and reused a plurality of times.

Other objects of the invention, together with some of the advantageous features thereof, will appear from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that I am not to be limited to the precise embodiment shown, nor to the precise arrangement of the components thereof, as my invention, as defined in the appended claims, can be embodied in a plurality and variety of forms.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a sectional elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevational view of the embodiment of my invention illustrated in FIG. 1 and taken on the line 2-2 thereof.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of the invention, this view being taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged detail of parts of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a pile structure containing a preferred embodiment of my invention; this view showing the pile wells or legs horizontally disposed while being conveyed through the water.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 5 but raised to operative position with the pile legs disposed vertically.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the structure of FIG. 5 with the piles inserted and extended into underwater ground.

FIG. 8 is a reduced elevational view of one of the pile wells or legs forming part of the structure shown in FIG. 5 and 6, partially broken away to illustrate the piles disposed within the pile wells.

FIG. 9 is a view taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

In its preferred form, the watertight plug assembly of my present invention preferably comprises, in combination with each pile well of a pile assembly or structure wherein each pile well is formed with lower and upper sets of diametrically opposite aligned sockets, a plug assembly consisting of a central axial rod, a lower disc mounted on said rod at the bottom thereof, an upper disc mounted on said rod in spaced relation to said lower disc, a compressible rubber member confined between said lower and upper discs; said rubber member when compressed engaging the inner surface of each tubular well to prevent passage of water thereby, together with a first set of pins movably mounted in said upper disc for movement into the lower set of aligned sockets in each pile well to lock said upper disc against displacement on said rod, an upper block fixedly secured to said axial rod, a second set of pins movably mounted in said block for movement into the upper set of aligned sockets in each pile well, and means for releasing the first and second set of pins and for lifting said block and said plug assembly in its entirely from each of said pile wells from the platform supported thereon.

It is to be understood that in the usual manner the pile structure illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7 inclusive and designated generally by the reference numeral 11 is entirely made and assembled in a shipyard by skilled artisans. Such pile structure 11 includes a supported platform 12, a plurality of pile wells 13 which may be termed legs or jackets for housing the individual piles 14 on which the platform 12 is supported above the surface of the water 15, see FIG. 7, for the mounting on the platform of a conventional oil-drilling rig, not shown. Suitable bracing beams 16 and cross-struts 17 and 18 are provided to lend rigidity to the structure 11; it being understood that the jackets or wells 13 are fabricated in hollow tubular form and conveniently of circular cross section. Through holes or passages 19 are drilled through the platform 12 in registry with the pile wells 13 for passing the individual piles 14 which maybe any number desired and which are slidably mounted within their jackets so as to be extended below the bottoms of the wells 13 when the structure 11 is erected with the piles and wells vertically disposed and with the individual piles 14 driven into and anchored to the underwater ground, designated by the reference numeral 20 as shown in FIG. 7.

.In accordance with my present invention I provide an improved watertight plug assembly which is readily removably. mounted within each pile well 13 and which is designated generally by the reference numeral 21. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the annexed drawings, my improved watertight plug assembly preferably includes a central axial rod or shaft 22 upon which is slidably mounted adjacent to its lower end a lower disc 23 having a central passage therethrough for accommodating the axial rod 22 which is provided at its lower end with a closure plate 24 fixedly secured thereon and of sufficient diameter to cover or overlie the hole in the bottom of disc 23 which is the lower end of the rod passageway. The plug assembly 21 includes a rubber member 25 having a central passageway for passing the shaft 22 and which is confined and compressed between lower disc 23 and an upper disc 26 which likewise is formed with a central passageway for passing the axial rod 22 and is'also fashioned with an enlarged top section 27 terminating in an upper boss 28 through which the rod 22 extends. The upper disc is also so formed as to provide in its section 27 opposed laterally opening grooves 29 and 30 in which pins 31 and 32, respectively are movably mounted. Moreover cam levers 33 and 34 are pivotally mounted on pivot pins 36 and 37, respectively, and fulcrumed on pairs of fulcrums 38 and 39 as well as 41 and 42, respectively, which are connected to pins 31 and 32 in order to move the opposed pins 31 and 32 outwardly and inwardly in a horizontal path when desired in their respective grooves 29 and 30 to seat them into sockets or remove them from the sockets as hereinafter described. In addition, the watertight plug assembly includes an upper block 46 which is rigidly mounted upon the axial rod 21 by means of through cross-pins 47 and 48 and which is fashioned with an upper section 49 provided with opposed laterally opening grooves 51 and 52 in which pins 53 and 54, respectively, are movably mounted. Each of the pins 53 and 54 is moved in a horizontal path out of and into the grooves 51 and 52, respectively, by cam levers 56 and 57 which are pivotally mounted on pivot pins 58 and 59,

respectively, secured within the upper section 49 of block 46, and which are fulcrumed, respectively, on fulcrums 61 and 62 as well as 63 and 64, respectively, connected to the pins 53 and 53, respectively.

The four legs or jackets or pile wells 13, illustrated in the pile structure 11 in FIG. 6, are all fabricated on one ground site, such as a conventional shipyard, and during such fabrication each of the wells 13 is formed with an upper set of sockets 66 and 67 therein which are arranged in alignment horizontally, as well as with a lower set of sockets 68 and 69 therein which likewise are arranged in alignment horizontally but offset vertically in relation to the upper sockets 66 and 67, respectively. The legs or wells 13 together with the bracing therefor as well as platform 12 are all assembled in the shipyard with the wells 13 disposed in a horizontal position and is so launched upon the water after the watertight plugs 21 have been installed in each pile well.

Any suitable method and means can be employed in setting the plugs 21 in operative position in the various pile wells 13. One convenient method is to insert the assembly and initially move the lower set of pins 31 and 32 into the lower set of sockets 68 and 69 of the jacket or well 13. Then using an hydraulic or an air ram placed in abutment with the lower plate 24 of the axial shaft or rod 22, apply pressure until the lower disc 23 has moved a sufficient distance to compress rubber member 25 to an extent that it is expanded laterally to engage the inner surface of the pile well 13 and effect a watertight seal. Member 25 can be of cylindrical shape or in the form of a sphere. Thereafter, the upper set of pins 53 and 54 are latched into the upper set of sockets 66 and 67 of the pile well 13 and the entire pile structure 11 is ready for launching after first connecting a pair of chains 76 and 77 to the cam levers 33 and 34, respectively, for actuating such levers upon pulling the chains and thereby latching or unlatching the pins 31 and 32 by inserting them into the lower set of sockets 68 and 69 of the pile wells or removing the pins therefrom. Similarly, a set of chains 78 and 79 are connected to the cam levers 56 and 57 movably mounted upon the setting block 46 for latching or unlatching the block in respect to the pile well 13, the latching of the block 46 effecting a setting of the lower disc 23 of the plug against sliding movement along the shaft or axial rod 22. The four lever-actuating chains 76, 77, 78 and 79 may all be connected to a cable 81 which may be looped and fastened about a stanchion, not shown mounted upon the platform 12 so that each of the set of chains can be manipulated above the top of the piles and pile wells from the platform.

Once the pile structure 11 has reached a selected location offshore and on the water, the structure is moved or turned to an upright position by means of a controlled flooding system which is not, per se, a part of the present invention. After being set up, the plugs 21 are unlatched by manipulation of the chains which actuate the cam levers controlling the pins and the plugs 21 removed through the top of the pile wells 13. Thereafter the individual piles 14 are installed from the platform 12 through the holes or passages 19 thereof and disposed in the number desired in each of the wells 13 and driven into the underwater ground 20.

If desired, as additional set of lower and upper discs together with an additional compressible rubber member can be installed within each pile well 13 to augment the watertight seal effected by the one set of lower disc 23, rubber member 25 and upper disc 26, with corresponding latching pins in the upper disc of the additional plug for latching and unlatching the same in operative position within each pile well 13. A single upper setting block 49 can be employed for setting of both the lower discs of each plug assembly, and the compression of the second rubber member could be effected through increased pressure with the boss of the upper disc 26 engaging the bottom of the lower disc of the added plug assembly.

All of the components of my improved watertight plug assembly, with the exception of the rubber ball or cylinder 25, are fabricated from steel to avoid rust and corrosion by salt water which might otherwise bind the latching pins against movement.

I claim:

1. A watertight plug assembly for tubular pile wells comprising, in combination with a plurality of pile wells supporting a platform and each having an upper set of sockets therein as well as a lower set of sockets, an axially disposed shaft, a lower disc slidably mounted on said shaft, an upper disc mounted on said shaft in spaced relation to said lower disc, a compressible rubber member on said shaft and confined between said lower disc and said upper disc; said rubber member engaging the inner surface of a tubular well when compressed to prevent passage of water thereby, a first set of pins movably mounted in said upper disc; said first set of pins being adapted to be moved into said lower set of sockets in the tubular well to latch said upper disc in operative position, a setting block fixedly mounted on said shaft above said upper disc, a second set of pins movably mounted in said block; said second set of pins being adapted to be moved into said upper set of sockets in said tubular well to latch said lower disc into compressible engagement with said rubber member, means operable from said platform for actuating said pins to unlatch said first and said second sets of pins from said lower and said upper sets of sockets in said tubular well whereby the entire watertight plug assembly may be withdrawn from said tubular well through the top thereof.

2. A watertight plug assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and said second set of pins are connected to cam levers for effecting the movements thereof into said sockets of said tubular well.

3. A watertight plug assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the means operable from said platform for withdrawing said first and said second sets of pins from said sockets consist of sets of cam levers connected to said sets of pins, and sets of chains connected to said cam levers.

4. A watertight plug assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said cam levers for actuating said first set of pins are pivotally mounted in said second disc and are pivoted about a pair of fulcrums to hold said pins in extreme outward as well as in extreme inward positions after movement thereof.

5. A watertight plug assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said means operable from said platform for unlatching said second set of pins from the upper set of sockets in said tubular well comprise a set of cam levers pivotally mounted in said setting block and connected to said pins of said second set of pins, and fulcrums engageable by said cam levers and about which they are pivoted for holding said pins against movement until released, and sets of chains extending from said platform and connected to said sets of cam levers for effecting unlatching movement of said second set of pins from said set of upper sockets in said tubular well. 

2. A watertight plug assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and said second set of pins are connected to cam levers for effecting the movements thereof into said sockEts of said tubular well.
 3. A watertight plug assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the means operable from said platform for withdrawing said first and said second sets of pins from said sockets consist of sets of cam levers connected to said sets of pins, and sets of chains connected to said cam levers.
 4. A watertight plug assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said cam levers for actuating said first set of pins are pivotally mounted in said second disc and are pivoted about a pair of fulcrums to hold said pins in extreme outward as well as in extreme inward positions after movement thereof.
 5. A watertight plug assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said means operable from said platform for unlatching said second set of pins from the upper set of sockets in said tubular well comprise a set of cam levers pivotally mounted in said setting block and connected to said pins of said second set of pins, and fulcrums engageable by said cam levers and about which they are pivoted for holding said pins against movement until released, and sets of chains extending from said platform and connected to said sets of cam levers for effecting unlatching movement of said second set of pins from said set of upper sockets in said tubular well. 